Hello Bj”rn,
EDITORIAL
The Responsible Publisher
by The Publisher (2:2/2)
Many readers are confusing the publisher with the editor, and that is totally understandable because in the English speaking World, the two words actually are used interchangeably.
I am so confused.
Who owns the book, the author or publisher?
Everybody knows who the publisher is.
That would be the sysops who comprise Fidonet.
And everybody should know who the author is,
as it is the very folks who contribute to the
Fidonews.
Does that mean the editor is the author?
It can be. But does it have to be?
According to Dr. Google, "An author is a person
who writes a book, article, or other written work,
while a publisher is a person or company that
publishes that work, making it available to the
public."
In the case of your editorial, you are acting
as both author and publisher - at the same time.
Assuming I am understanding this correctly.
But since this publication is based in Sweden, it must follow
Swedish law, and we have strict laws about it and a constitution that limits what laws our lawmakers are allowed to pass. You also can see
why freedom of expression is so important here.
Oh, come now. This publication was incepted in the USA, with the
First Amendment taking precedence over everything - "The Congress
shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the
press" - thus ensuring liberty and justice for all.
Here's how it works. This also gives you information about what
you can do if you find what you think may be a violation of the law,
even if in your own country:
Tom Jennings was/is an anarchist.
A responsible publisher (sometimes just called a publisher) is in Swedish legislation a person who, according to the Freedom of
Expression Ordinance and/or the Freedom of Expression Basic Law, is responsible for media publications.
Tom Jennings was not so great on that - imposing four separate
zones on Fidonet - which expanded to six - and then contracted back
to four. With internecine warfare within for much of the time.
Why did he do that? He's an anarchist.
Designating a responsible publisher is one method of achieving constitutional protection for readers as well as writers.
Tom Jennings designated himself. And then he left. Without telling
anybody. But then, he's an anarchist. Had to be true to himself.
Disputes about the responsible publisher are handled by the
Swedish Press, Radio and Television Authority (MPRT).
One editor found a unique way to end disputes about his reign
by getting rid of himself permanently - without naming a successor.
A responsible publisher must be eighteen years of age and must be resident in Sweden but does not have to be a Swedish citizen.
By definitiion (your own) a publisher is a person. Or persons
as the case may be. The sysops who comprise Fidonet. That is who
the publisher of the Fidonews is. They own it. Lock, stock, and
barrel. As such, they can do whatever they want with it.
Now you know...
Fidonet is like Doctors Without Borders.
And also like No Spin Zone, without Bill O'Reilly.
Which is the way the Fidonews should be.
And always be.
For Life,
Lee
--
Fox News Slogan - Rich people paying rich people
to tell middle class people to blame poor people.
--- MesNews/1.08.05.00-gb
* Origin:
news://eljaco.se:4119 (2:203/2)